Local Food Organizations and the Governance of Urban Food Systems
APA Ohio Miami Valley Section
#9161403
Friday, December 7, 2018
9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. EST
CM | 1.50
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This session examines two important areas of research in urban food systems research.
First, this session presents the findings of John C. Jones’s doctoral dissertation examining local urban food entrepreneurship in the greater Dayton region. The wide variety within local food entrepreneurship may confuse local-level regulators and policymakers, especially when attempting to employ potentially outdated codes and policies to this emerging phenomenon. To better inform public decision makers about this variety, the presenters will also propose a classification system for understanding the diversity of localized urban food entrepreneurship. Finally, the presenters will also provide an overview of potential policy improvements to further encourage development of food entrepreneurship within the greater Dayton region. These recommendations will focus on local-level solutions, with some limited attention to the state-level solutions.
Second, this session examines the roles that local food organizations (LFOs) play in urban food systems. This includes the range of civil society organizations which operate in cities, such as non-governmental organizations, non-profits, informal community-based organizations, and social movement organizations. While some of these institutions provide critical health, nutrition, or social service needs, others focus more on social justice or equity issues. In short, the mission of these institutions is vast and the structure and impacts of these organizations is therefore complex and often hard to measure. Regardless of how LFOs are conceptualized, they are undoubtedly an important fixture in many urban food systems. However, as is discussed in this session, more attention is needed to understand the structure, mission, and impact these institutions have on food system governance, food justice and equity, and the reduction of food insecurity. Understanding the roles of LFOs is critical for academic researchers, policy makers, and food activists, as they all have invested significant political, financial, and human capital in these mission-driven organizations to make a difference in communities. **The first portion of the presentation will be based on John C. Jones’s doctoral dissertation examining the potential of local food enterprises as a vehicle for economic development in the post-industrial cities of Newark, New Jersey and Dayton, Ohio.
Speakers
Etana Jacobi
Invited Speaker
Daniel Warshawsky
Invited Speaker
Contact Info
Etana Jacobi, Etanaj.hhi@dayton-unitedway.org